The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-01-13
A MILLIONAIRE'S YACHT.

A Wilmington, Del, correspondent
of The Ne,C Yora, Herald writes
The construction Of Mr.. William K.
Vanderbilt's handsome steam yacht
Alva is rapidly approaching com
pletion The machinery for propell-
| ing the vessel is all In place, and
Triggers now swarm above decks, and
the standing rigging is going up
rapidly, two of her masts being In posi-
ton. On the main deck the three
steel houses are nearly completed.
All of them are panelled over or
sheathed with teak-wood, and will be
finished inside with mahogany. From
! the forward one, which contains the
chartroom, galley, and reception-room,
| descent is made by a mahogany stair
way to large hall, on which open the
main dining saloon and the owners
private quarters, comprising nine
rooms and nursery. The dining
saloon is the full width of the ship.
When completed it will be elegantly
paneled in soft wood, and finished
with white enamel and gold. Facing
the main entrance will be a handsome
| mantel and fireplace, which Will give
| the room a cheerful and homelike APP
pearance. A large skylight covered
with obscured glass gives light and
ventilation. All the staterooms are
finished to correspond with the dining
hall, but each VIII be supplied with a
different variety of furniture in appro
pirate designs. Under the floor Of
each state-room is a bath-tub supplied
with hot and cold water, and may be
salt or fresh at will From the dining
hall, going aft, there is a passageway
to the library. Abreast Of the engine
this passage widens to admit of an
upholstered seat, from which a full
view can be had of the working of the
| machinery.
The library is on the starboard side
OF the ship and is paneled in French
walnut. 1t also has a fireplace and
mantel. On the opposite side and
back of the library are seven large
staterooms for the use of guests, each
provided with bath and washstands
For the comfort of the officers there
are provided spacious apartments,
which will be fitted with bed, bureau,
wardrobe, washstand, and bath. A
mess-roOm for the officers and galley
for the crew are on the forward part
of the ship. The accommodations for
the sailors and tiremen are in the for
ward and after end of the vessel
respectively. These are furnished
with hunks, lockers and closets and
are models Of comfort and neatness.
The space under the cabin deck for
ward Is to be occupied by the steward
and Is divided into provision, wine,
and cooling rooms and icehOuse.
| Forward of these are the mates store
rooms. The main galley, which will
be equipped with all the appointments
of modern kitchen, is in the forward
house on the main deck The middle
house on deck is occupied by drying
room, lamproOm and vapor bath
room. The very best materials and
methods have been used to produce a
firstclass yacht. The deck planking
is marvel of whiteness, close Joints
and beauty Of ''streaking." being of
the best American white pine and laid
with the greatest care. The skyGghts
are numerous and elaborate, being
formed Of teak and fitted with pressed
checkered glass and plate glass.
protected by brass fender rods and
storm shutters. The sash opens both
athwartship and fore and aft, as
ventilation may demand
The system Of automatic communi-
cation between the bridge and the
engine room, though not yet COM
pleted, will consist of special device
Of plates, dials, handles, etc. This is
known as the bridge telegraph, and
will be most perfect in its workings.
The rig of the yacht is to be three
masted schooner, square rugged for
ward, with ''fdded" topmasts. Her
sail plan is large Three yards on
foremost, three jibs and an unusual
hoist of mainsail and mizzensail The
entire ship will be lighted throughout
by electricity, even the officers and
crews quarters being 50 Illuminated.
There will also be a powerful search
light forward, which can be made to
light up the sea for a distance of six
miles ahead. Thevessel will probably
be finished in February.